Sania Mirza announces retirement plans, says 2022 will be her last season on tour

Categories: SPORTS

India’s most decorated female tennis player, Sania Mirza, on Wednesday announced her retirement plans after defeat in the first round of women’s doubles at the Australian Open 2022. Following the defeat, Mirza announced that 2022 is going to be her last season on the tour and she really wants to complete it.

"There's a pack explanations behind it. It's not quite as straightforward as 'OK I won't play'. I truly do feel my recuperation is taking more time, I do feel, taking into account my child is three years of age, I'm jeopardizing him by voyaging such a huge amount with him, that is something I need to consider," Mirza said at the post-match public interview.

Mirza, 35, had returned to tennis after giving birth to her son in March 2019 but her progress was later thwarted by the coronavirus pandemic. Mirza and her Ukrainian partner Nadiia Kichenok lost 4-6 6-7(5) to the Slovenian team of Tamara Zidansek and Kaja Juvan in one hour and 37 minutes.

Meanwhile, Rohan Bopanna was also knocked out of the men’s doubles events of the Australian Open, after losing his first-round matches on Wednesday. Bopanna and his French partner Edouard Roger-Vasselin lost in three sets to wild card pair of Christopher Rungkat and Treat Huey. They began confidently but lost momentum mid-way to lose 6-3 6-7(2) 2-6 in one hour and 48 minutes.